Have you driven a 1983 Jeep Cherokee?

1983 Jeep Cherokee Overview

The 1983 Jeep Cherokee was the last of a noble breed. The full-size utility vehicle was long overdue for a redesign, and the folks at AMC planned to take the brand in a totally different direction.

It's a shame, because the classic Jeep Cherokee, the big boy from the SJ line, was a tough, amazing wagon. Drivers prized the rugged construction, reliable four-wheel drive, and tough suspension that made it a natural for off-road adventure.

Designwise, the '83 Cherokee seemed particularly outdated by the era's standards; the focus of the model line was performance and muscle, not style (unlike a lot of later SUV models), and the no-frills cabin reflected that choice. The Cherokee Chief package provided some decor upgrades in addition to power steering and other power features, though.

Its powerful, torquey engines were among its best features. Under the hood, the '83 Jeep Cherokee offered a famously reliable 258 cubic inch, 4.2 liter AMC inline-6 engine; drivers looking for more power could upgrade to a 360 cubic inch, 5.9 liter V-8 plant which put out 255 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque.